Effect of baricitinib in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and respiratory failure: A propensity score-matched retrospective cohort study

In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated the efficacy of baricitinib in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Among 404 adult patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to our hospital between October 23, 2020, and July 31, 2021, 229 patients with respiratory failure were included. Among these, 41 patients in the baricitinib group and 41 patients in the control group were selected by propensity score matching to adjust for background factors. We compared the survival rates of the two groups at 30 and 60 days after admission. The 30-day survival rate was significantly higher in the baricitinib group than in the control group. However, there was no significant difference in 60-day survival in the two groups. Baricitinib may improve the early prognosis of patients with respiratory failure associated with COVID-19. However, efforts should be made to improve the long-term prognosis.